The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1887-04-27
Murder In Clinton.
FRANK ". CHASE SHOOTS HIS BROTHER
WALTER A.

A shocking tragedy occurred at Clinton about
two miles below Pishon's Ferry, on the River
road Wednesday evening last. The circum-
stances appear to be as follows -
Wednesday afternoon Frank went into the
yard and commenced shouting in a most dismal
manner. He kept this up for long while.
| His father away at work for neighbor
His mother was in the house engaged in her
| household duties. She and Walter had eaten
| their supper alone. Walter WAS up stairs at
work in his chamber. Both he and his mother
| stood Franks terrible yocfcrations until they
| could endure them no longer-whcn Walter told
his parent that he thought Frank had INDUCED
IN his noise long enough and he would 20 out
and stop it Going out he joined Frank and babe
him keep quiet or he would "warm his Jacket :"
Returning to the house he entered the cook
room in the ell and then passed into the kitchen
Frank, il seems, followed stcalthily on behind,
and when in the cook room took down loaded
double barrecd shot gun that was suspended
from hooks on the wall. Walter happened to see
him when he took down the gum and as he en-
tered the sitting room where his mother was he
exclaimed: "Iie's got the gun What in the
world is he going 70 do with it. / guess I'd
better 90 and See.
Stepping 10 the door that opened into the from,
entry, Frank was met with the gun in his hand,
which he raised and fired at his brother as he
whrled to return To the sitting room. The shot
was received in the back and penetrated the left
lung, making an ugly and CHASTITY wound. As
soon as the weapon was discharged the murderer
Immediately fled retaining in his possession the
gun.
The victim of the fratricide staggered into
the sitting room, exclaimed "Oh mother. | am
shot" From thence, with the blood streaming
down his back and leaving crimson trail behind
him he reeled to the bedroom and there pitched
forward and fell to the floor. lie was assisted
IA nv Ia ,,.hn II.
and a half went through terrible and heart
rcnding ordeal with her dying boy. She tried in
vain to alarm the neighbors by screaming from
a window. Fearing that Frank might return
and shoot her she went and fastened all the
doors and windows. Half "A mile away lived
Elmer Leonard. In her terrible affection Mrs.
Chase cambercd out Of window, and ran bare.
headed, for his house, through the snow and
mud. On reaching there the neighbors were
aroused. Word was sent to Mr.. Chase of the
murder. About O'Clock he arrived and an
diligent search was commenced for the murderer,
who was captured about midnight in an out |
house by his father lie made no resistance |
Officers from Waterville were sent for to take
him into custody.
The murdered man lived about two hours after
receiving the fatal shot. Before he died he told |
the neighbors who stood beside him that Frank |
had shot him.
Thursday forenoon Deputy Sheriff Hill, Con-
stable McFadden and lawyer Carver, who is a |
coroner, left Waterville for the scene of the
tragerdy. On reaching the Chase house |
jury was empanelled and testimony |
heard.
Sophonia Chase, mother of the murdcrd man |
and the murderer testified to the shooting and |
to the circumstance as narrated above. She |
said Frank was shy and afraid Of Walter and |
had been sick great deal. Other witnesses
were examined and the jury returned the verdict
that Walter A. Chase come to his death from
the effects of gunshot wound through the left |
lung inflicted upon him by Frank W. Chase with |
a double barreed shot gun.
The accused was brought to Watervlle late
Thursday afternoon On the way down he did |
not seem to fully realize the enormity of his |
crime. He told officer McFadden that Walter
came to the door when he was out in the pines |
and said he would warm his jacket if he didn't |
stop yelling. 81 got the gun, he said, "because
was mad. | didn't intend to shoot Walter. |
l only wanted to wound him and not kill him. |
| fired just as Walter turned about | then |
went out doors and hid behind the barn where
l fired the second barrel"
He was asked why he fired the second barrel,
when he replied,"I was so mad was afraid
might Kill somebody else. thought had done
mischief enough"
When asked why he did not run away, he |
said, III knew it would be no use because they'd |
catch me-"
The prisoner was on Jewett's train, Friday
afternoon, in the custody Of Officers Hill and |
McFadden and was at once incarcerated in Jail. |
His counsel, VIM 7. Haines, Esq, accompanied |
Chase, and, after short interval, brought him
into court and asked the judge to order him |
sent to the insane hospital that it might be asc
ertained whether he was insane or not. The
court stated that from the prisoners personal
appearance and reason offered by Mr.. Haines
he should grant the request. |